Equinix has completed its state-of-the-art data center, JN1, in Johannesburg, representing a $160 million investment. The project took approximately 18 months to complete and marks a significant expansion of Equinix’s presence in Africa.
JN1 is a key facility within the Equinix global network, designed to support and enhance growing digital infrastructure and connectivity in the region including access for businesses of all sizes to cloud and connectivity services from this new Johannesburg base.
As the business capital of Southern Africa, Johannesburg is home to a thriving economy and talent pool. The JN1 site is in a key economic center and a rapidly growing interconnection point on the African continent. Already a strategically important connectivity hub for digital networks, South Africa boasts a significant network of submarine cables across its expansive coastline. Strong financial services, industrial and professional services sectors have resulted in local and international firms using the city as a hub for regional operations and the city attracts a large number of foreign and local investments making it the ideal location for Equinix’s first data center in the country.
Initially designed to provide 4 megawatts (MW) of power, JN1 is expected to grow into a 20MW campus. It currently has capacity for over 700 cabinets and more than 20,000 gross square feet (1,900+ square meters) of colocation space. At full build-out, which will include two additional development phases, the facility will support more than 3,475 cabinets and exceed 100,000 gross square feet (9,515 square meters) of colocation space.
According to the company’s statement, many key enterprises and operators are already present in Equinix’s new highly connected facility. Notable deployments include established South African businesses such as Liquid Intelligent Technologies, Intelys Technology Group, SEACOM, and WorkOnline Communications, along with the INX-ZA’s Johannesburg Internet Exchange (JINX).
This expansion strengthens Equinix’s footprint in Africa, which already includes operations in Nigeria, Ghana, and Côte d’Ivoire, particularly following the acquisition and integration of MainOne, a leading West African data center provider. South Africa is recognized as a strategic hub for digital networks, and the new data center is poised to enhance local businesses’ ability to adopt hybrid multi-cloud architectures while connecting to Equinix’s extensive global network of over 10,000 customers.
Eugene Bergen, President of Equinix EMEA, previously stated, “This investment will give both South African businesses the opportunity to expand internationally and global businesses to expand into South Africa.” The Johannesburg facility aims to enable faster scalability for local enterprises and serve as a gateway for multinational companies entering the African market.
Equinix’s Managing Director for South Africa, Sandile Dube, said “Our brand new JN1 data center in Johannesburg serves as a powerful platform for people and businesses to connect, innovate, and flourish not only in South Africa but also beyond. The new site presents a truly unique opportunity for South Africans as it places us firmly on the map and will be a key interconnection hub on the continent to some of the fastest growing countries and businesses in the world. It is a proud day for me to be leading this expansion into South Africa and I believe that this is a crucial milestone for the country in its digital and connectivity journey for thousands of residents”.
Equinix’s expansion into South Africa also aligns with its strong sustainability goals. The company is committed to operating 100% on renewable energy by 2030 and has 95% renewable energy coverage globally since 2021. The JN1 facility incorporates hyper-efficient cooling systems and minimizes water usage to reduce its environmental impact.
Bergen emphasized, “We design, build, and operate sustainable data centers.” This commitment is part of a broader strategy to meet science-based emission reduction targets, ensuring a greener digital future for clients and the planet.
Equinix’s entry into South Africa is part of a larger global strategy that includes rapid expansion into markets such as Indonesia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Peru, and Chile. With a growing demand for digital infrastructure and interconnection services, Equinix plans to invest $390m to build data centers and expand its operations across South Africa and West Africa. As South Africa continues to emerge as a key digital hub, Equinix’s investment signifies an epochal moment in the country’s digital journey, promising growth, sustainability, and innovative solutions for both local and global enterprises.
